Effects of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on human insulin secretion and carbohydrate tolerance

Prostaglandin E (PGE) has been hypothesized to be an endogenous regulator of carbohydrate metabolism because it decreases human insulin secretion and carbohydrate tolerance. This report compares the effects of four inhibitors of PGE synthesis on the acute insulin response to glucose and subsequent glucose disappearance rates. Ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate treatments in normal volunteers were associated with augmented insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance while indomethacin had the opposite effects. In view of these findings and the known effects of PGE on carbohydrate metabolism, we suggest that the effects of indomethacin may have been due to an action of the drug other than inhibiting PGE synthesis.